Hope  for  the  Heathen: 


A 

SERMON, 


PREACHED  IN 


th£  old  'prEsbyteriAn'  church, 


BEPO&C  THE 


^^EkF-YORK  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY, 


i'.  : i-  . 

a 


, At  their  Anpual  Meeting,  Noveinber  7,  1797. 


By  JOHN  M.  MASON,  A.  M. 

Pajior  of  the  Sects  Prejhyterlan  Churih  in  tie  City  of  NewYcrt, 


NEIT-YORK: 

Printed  by  T.  to*  J.  SWORDS,  No.  99  Pearl-ftrej^, 

— 1797*— 


At  a Meeting  of  the  New-York  Missionary 
Society,  November  8,  1797, 

Resolved  unanimously, 

THAT  the  thanks  of  the  Society  be  given 
to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mason  for  his  Sermon  preach- 
ed before  them  laft  evening,  and  that  he  be  re- 
quefted  to  furnifh  a copy  for  publication. 

Extracted  from  the  MinuteSy 
. JOHN  N.  ABEEL,  Clerk. 


HOPE  FOR  THE  HEATHEN. 


Isaiah  xxv.  6,  7. 

'The  Lord  of  Hojls — will  dejlroy,  in  this  moun- 
tain^ the  face  of  the  covering  caft  over  all  peo- 
■*  pie ; and  the  vail  that  is  fpread  over  all  nations. 

The  exerelfe  of  divine  mercy  towards  man 
is  coeval  with  his  need  of  it.  The  fhock  of  the 
c fall  was  hardly  felt;  Remorfe  had  only  begun 

to  prey  upon  the  confcience,  and  Guilt  to  rally 
his  terrors,  when  a hope,  as  confoling  as  it  was 
unexpected,  dawned  from'  Heaven  upon  our  re- 
4 volted  race.  I will  put,”  faid  God  to  the 

tempter,  “ I will  put  enmity  between  thee 
and  the  woman,  and  between  thy  feed  and 
her  feed : it  fliall  bruife  thy  head,  and  thou 
“ lhalt  bruife  his  heel.”*  In  this  original  pro- 
mife  were  included  all  fubfequent  revelations 
concerning  the  redemption  of  Tinners.  The 
doctrine  of  Messiah’s  perfon,  of  his  facrifice, 
of  his  triumph ; together  with  that  vaft  fyftem 
of  prediction  which  extends  from  the  begin- 
ning to  the  end  of  time,  and  all  the  correfpond- 


• • Gen.  iii.  15. 


4 


ing  dlfpenfations  of  the  new  covenant,  are  no- 
thing but  its  regular  developement.  But  this 
being  flow  as  well  as  regular,  and  all  flefli  cor- 
rupting his  way,  the  Lord  felected  the  family  of 
Abraham  to  be,  for  ages,  both  the  witnefles  of 
his  grace,  and  the  depofitaries  of  his  truth.  To 
them  were  committed  his  living  oracles ; to  them 
the  ordinances  of  his  worflrip ; to  them  the  fym- 
bols  and  doctrine  of  the  great  atonement. 
Among  them  he  deigned  to  dwell,  and  to  raife 
up  an  illuftrious  line  of  prophets,  who  fhould 
diredt  their  faith  and  hope  to  Jefus  the  Saviour. 
“ To  him,”  faith  Peter,  “ give  all  the  prophets 
“ witnefs,  that,  through  his  name,  whofoever 

believeth  in  him  lhall  receive  remiffion  of 
“ fins.”* 

But  though  the  children  of  Ifrael  enjoyed 
thefe  privileges,  while  other  nations  were  “ fuf- 
“ fered  to  walk  in  their  own  ways,”’  they  were 
taught  that  the  covenant  of  peculiarity  fhould 
one  day  be  abrogated,  and  be  fucceeded  by  a 
more  general  and  more  glorious  ceconomy. — 
“ In  thee,  and  in  thy  feed,  fliall  all  the  nations 
“ of  the  earth  be  blefred,”-h  was  the  catholic 
promife  to  Abraham  their  father.  As  the  time 
of  its  accomplifhment  approached,  the  circle  of 
prophetic  vifion  grew  brighter  and  larger.  Later 
prophets  were  enabled  to  explain  the  enigmas  of 


• Adis  X.  43. 


t Gen  'xK.  3,  xxii.  i8. 


5 

their  prcdeceflbrs,  and  to  fpeak,  with  precifioit 
and  clearncls,  both  of  the  coming  of  Mcfliah, 
and  of  the  glory  that  fliould  follow.  Ifuiah,  in 
particular,  appears  to  have  been  favoured  w'ith. 
the  moil  liberal  difclofure  of  the  divine  purpofes. 
Born  on  high,  by  the  revealing  Spirit,  he  fees 
far  beyond  the  common  horizon.  The  extremes 
of  the  earth,  and  the  ages  of  futurity,  are  com- 
manded into  his  view.  He  fees  the  “ fun  of 
“ righteoufnefs”  afeehding  the  Heavens,  and 
breaking  in  upon  the  thick  darknefs  which  en- 
wraps the  globe.  Tic  fees  the  fiends  of  night 
ftretch  their  foul  wings,  and  fly  from  the  fpread- 
ing  day.  He  fees  the  tabernacle  of  God  de- 
feending  to  dwell  among  men:  His  eye  rolls 
ardent  over  the  wondrous  fcenc;  his  bofom 
heaves  with  mighty  emotions;  and  when  utter- 
ance is  granted,  he  burfls  forth  in  the  language 
of  the  text,  “ In  this  mountain  will  the  Lord  of 
“ Hofis  dejiroy  the  face  of  the  covering  caf  over 
“ all  -people,  and  the  vail  that  is  fpread  over  all 
“ nations.” 

The  Lord  hath  not  been  flack  concerning  his 
, promife,  nor  have  the  w'ords  of  his  fervant  fal- 
len to  the  ground.  The  elementary  difpenfa- 
tion  of  Mofes  is  no  more ; its  fhadows  have  re- 
ceived their  fubftance,  and  its  types  their  truth, 
in  the  perfon  and  offices  of  the  “ Word  made 
“ flefli.’'  Millions  of  Gentiles,  and  among 
them,  believers  of  this  aiTembly,  who  were  once 


6 


“ afar  off,  arc  now  brought  nigh  by  the  blood 
“ of  Chrift,”  and  are  “ no  more  ftrangers  and 
“ foreigners,  but  fellow-citizens  of  the  faints, 
“ and  of  the  houlhold  of  God.”* 

But  though  all  this  hath  happened,  accord- 
ing to  the  fcriptures,  much  is  yet  required  to 
their  complete  fulfilment.  Many  families  of 
the  earth  are  flill  unbleft:  Thefe  too  are  re- 

ferved  for  the  trophies  of  Emanuel’s  grace,  and 
are  to  be  fubje6kcd  to  his  authority,  by  the 
fame  means  which  he  hath  ever  employed  in 
converting  finners — the  gofpel  of  his  crofs. 
Three  topics  of  difcourfe,  not  lefs  appropriated 
to  the  defign  of  our  meeting,  than  plainly  fug- 
gefted  by  the  text : For  in  this  mountain  Jhall 
the  Lord  of  Hofts  defray  the  face  of  the  covering 
caf  over  all  people,  atid  the  vail  that  is  fpread 
over  all  nations. 

I.  Many  families  cff  the  earth  are  yet  unbleft. 
They  are  defcribed  as  deftitute  of  fpiritual  and 
faving  knowledge ; an  idea  obvioufty  conveyed 
by  the  figures  of  a vail,  and  a covering — 
Darknefs,  thick  darknefs,  enflirouds  their  minds, 
and  conceals  from  them  thofe  fa<5ts  and  princi- 
ples which  it  moft  interefts  them  to  know  and 
to  Improve. 

Of  the  nations  thus  under  a vail  we  reckon 
four  clafles : 


• Eph,  ii.  13,  19. 


7 

1.  The  families  which  adhere  to  the  “ man 

of  (in — Enticed  by  his  lying  wonders,  and 

given  up  to  ftrong  delufions,  they  have  deviated 
into  the  paths  of  apoflacy ; they  are  under  the 
vail  of  anti-chriJHan  error. 

2.  The  families  of  rejedled  Ifrael: — Having 
difowned  their  Me(Tiah  when  he  came ; and  be- 
ing difqualified,  by  judicial  blindnefs,  for  dif- 
cerning  the  real  fenle  of  their  fcriptures,  which 
teftify  of  him ; the  vail  upon  their  hearts  is  the 
vail  of  objlinate  unbelief. 

3.  The  families  which  embrace  the  doftrines 
of  Mahommed : — Turned  afide  after  fables,  and 
amufing  themfelves  with  the  belief  of  lying  va- 
nities, they  are  under  the  vail  of  grofs  impojlure. 

4.  The  families  which  are  ufually  called  Pa- 
gan : — With  no  other  inftruftion  than  the  glim- 
merings of  natural  reafon,  and  the  refradted  rays 
of  diftant  tradition,  they  are  covered  with  the 
vail  of  deplorable  ignorance. 

All  thefe  are  charadterized  in  the  text.  But 
our  attention  is  invited  more  immediately  to 
thofe  who  are  without  any  fcriptural  revelation. 
Though  true  of  all,  it  is  of  them  pre-eminently 
true,  that  they  are  under  the  double  vail  of  a 
benighted  underftanding,  and  an  erring  con- 
fcience. 

God  is  the  fource  of  intelledtual  light ; for 
he  alone  is  perfedt  reafon.  Wifdom  in  natural 
things  is  his  gift  j much  more  that  wifdom  which 


8 


is  fpiritual  and  divine.  Lofs  of  ability  to  difco-* 
ver  the  chief  good,  was  at  once  the  juft  reward=,> 
and  the  native  confequence  of  revolt.  • For  ,as 
all  fpiritual  light  in^  the  creature  beams’, from 
the  effulgence  of  the.  Godhead,  whenever  fm 
had  intercepted' the  communion  of i man'  \vith 
his' Maker,  the  day  which  flaone  ’ around , him 
vaniihed;  the  gloom  of  the  pjt  thickened  ^on 
his’  foul;  and  from  that  accurled  hpuf > tofthis, 
unlefs  illumined  from  above,  lie  hath  wandered 
out  of  the  way,  and  his  feet  have  ‘‘  ftuinblcd 
“ upon  the  dark  mountains.’’  Does  the  affertion 
need  proof?  Proofs  innumerable  are  furniftied 
by  the  unhappy  Heathen.  Of  the  very  Gud 
who  “ breathed  into,  their  npftrils  the  breath  of 
“ life on  whofe  bounty  they  are  continual 
penfioners;  and  at  whofe  tribunal  they  muft 
Ihortly  ftand,  they  are  fatally  ignorant,  r The 
“ Heavens  may  declare  his  glory, rand  the  fir- 
“ mament  fhew  forth  bis  handy  work;”*  but 
the'  Pagans,  'unaccuftomed  to  decypher  their 
language,  and  to  ftudy  their  leffons,  do,  not 
thence  derive,  in  faft,  juft  and  clear  perceptions 
even  of  “ his  eternal  power  and  Godhead;”  far 
lefs  of  his  moral  character ; lefs  ftill  can  they 
learn  that  he  .is  the  only  fatisfying  portion  of  ra- 
tional beings;  and  leaft  of  all,  that  he  is  acceffi- 
ble  to  the  rebellious. ' Thole  general  notices  of 


* Pf.  xix,  I. 


9 


bis  being  which  have  prevailed  in  all  countries 
ajid  at  all  times,  have  never  fufficed  to  diredt 
men  aright  in  their  inquiries  after  him ; nor  do 
tlicy  now  prevent  the  mod  foolifli,  the  mod  ex- 
travagant, the  mod  abominable  conceptions  of 
his  nature,  and  of  his  operations. 

Midake  in  the  firll  principles  of  religion  and 
of  morals,  mud  generate  uncertainty  in  all  the 
fubordinatc  principles  of  both.  The  rule  of  obe- 
dience is,  therefore,  at  bed,  a fuhyedt  of  con- 
jedlure.  What,  is  the  genius,  mcafure,  and 
manner,  of  acceptable  wordiip?  What  arc  the 
relative. duties  of  fociety.^  Wherein  they  come 
Ihort  ? And  what  diall  be  the  fruit  of  tranl- 
gredion  ? few  of  the  Heathen  afk,  and  none  can 
tell.  Yet  they  arc  under  a law  of  righteoufnefs 
which  faith,  “ the  foul  that  fmneth  lhall  die.” 
The  origin  of  their  wants  and  woes  they  are 
unable  to  explore..  To  the  demerit  and  wages 
of  fm  they  are  utter  drangers.  The  confe- 
quences  of  death  they  are  equally  unprepared 
to  meet,  or  to  edimate.  All  beyond  the  grave  li 
impenetrable  obfeurity.  Their,  notions  of  im- 
mortality are  lefs  a fpecylation  than  a dream. 
When  called  hence,  they  plunge  into  the  world 
of  fpirits,  unconfeious  of  their  dediny;  and, 
till  that  confummation  of  forrows,  they  grope, 
at  a venture,  after  the  path  of  life  j but  grope, 
alas ! in  vain ; “ having  the  unejerdanding  dajrk’ 
.'  B 


10 


“ ened ; being  alienated  from  the  life  of  God^’ 
“ through  the  ignorance  that  is  in  them,  becaufe 
“ of  the  blindnefs  of  their  heart,”* 

• Of  this  inteliedtual  darknefs  the  infeparable 
companion  is  an  erring  conjcience.  . 

Although  light  in  the  underftanding  does  not, 
of  courfe,  imply  moral  excellence,  yet,  without 
the  former,  there  can  be  none  of  the  latter.  To 
this  it  is  neceiTary  not  only  that  there  be  a law 
of  morals,  but  that  it  be  obeyed  from  a regard 
to  the  authority  of  the  lawgiver.  Both  the  law- 
giver and  the  law  muft,  therefore,  be  known, 
or  confcience  will  inevitably  go  aftray.  The 
general  fentiment  of  right  and  wrong,  though 
fufficient,  if  violated,  to  leave  men  without  ex- 
cufe,  will  by  no  means  condudt  to  the  proper 
difeharge  of  duty.  The  fadt  is  notorious ; and 
a glance  at  the'  Heathen  world  will  defery  a 
thoufand  monuments  of  it.  To  thofe  who  have 
the  advantage  of  revelation,  no  truths  appear 
more  fimple  and  luminous,  than  that  there . is 
but  one  God,  and  that  he  only  is  entitled  to  re- 
ligious homage.  Yet  how  dubious,  on  thefe 
points,  were  the  moft  celebrated  Heathen  philo- 
fophers ! how  embarralfed  their  refearch ! how 
conjcdtural  their  opinion!  And  of  that  fjfiritual 
devotednefs  which  is  the  life  of  real  religion, 
they  had  as  little  knowledge  as  the  fons  of  mo- 


• Kph.  iv.  i8. 


J I 

dern  unbelief.  If  from  them  we  turn  to  the 
inafs  of  their  cotemporaries,  or  to  thofe  who 
are  now  in  a fimilar  condition,  we  are  ftartlcd 
and  fltocked  to  fee  them  “ wonhlp  and  lerve 
“ the  creature  more  than  tlie  Creator  who  is 
“ blefled  forever.”*  One  poor  idolater  bows  to 
“ the  liofl:  of  Heaven;”  another  trembles  before 
an  evil  fpirit — Here,  he  finds  his  divinities  in 
birds,  and  beafts,  and  reptiles;  there,  he 
“ changes  the  glory  of  the  incorruptible  God 
“ into  an  image  made  like  unto  corruptible 
“ man,”-f-  and  lies  prollrate  before  a deity  of 
ftone  or  of  w'ood,  the  work  of  his  chizzel  or  his 
axe.  “ He  hevveth  him  down  cedars,  and  taketh 
“ the  cyprefs  and  tlie  oak — he  burneth  part  there- 
“ of  in  the  fire;  with  part  tliereof  he  eateth 
“ flefh ; he  roafteth  roaft,  and  is  I'atlsfied ; — yea, 
“ he  warmeth  himfelf,  and  faith,  Aha,  I am 
“ warm,  I have  feen  the  fire : And  the  re- 

“ fidue  thereof  he  maketh  a god,  even  his  gra- 
“ ven  image : he  falleth  down  unto  it,  and  wor- 
“ fliippeth  it,  and  prayeth  unto  it,  and  faith, 
“ Deliver  me ; for  thou  art  my  god, — And  none 
“ conlidereth  in  his  heart,  neither  is  their  know- 
“ ledge  nor  underflanding  to  fay,  I have  burnt 
“ part  of  it  in  the ‘fire;  yea,  I have  alfo  baked 
“ bread  upon  the  coals  thereof;  I have  roafted 
“ flefh,  and  eaten  it ; and  (hall  I make  the  refi- 


Rom.  i.  25. 


f Rom.  i;  23. 


12 


“ due  thefeof  an  abomination?  {ball  I fall  down 
to  the  flock  of  a tree?”* 

The  rites  of  Paganifra  are  worthy  of  its  creed. 
Inflead  of  a worfhip,  reafonable,  reverend,  and 
purej  it  exhibits  all  the  frightful  varieties  of 
whatever  is  abfurd,  or  blafphemous,  or  obfcene. 
Its  effedls  on  individual  and  focial  character, 
are  precifely  fuch  as  we  might  anticipate.  Un- 
rcfiraincd  by  any  juft  apprehenfions  of  God,  of 
his  law,  or  his  government,  the  moft  baleful 
paflions  domineer  in  the  heart,  and  the  moft 
horrible  exceffes  pollute  the  life.  Moral  dif- 
tindlions  confounded;  the  fenfe  of  relative  obli- 
gation extinguiftied ; crimes  the  moft  atrocious 
perpetrated  with  deliberation,  and  upon  princi- 
ple, are,  among  the  Heathen,  the  refult  of  be- 
ing “ without  God.”-h  If,  in  the  midft  of  this 
degradation  and  thefe  enormities,  the  thought 
fhould  occur,  “ that  they  who  do  fuch  things 
“ are  worthy  of  death,”  a fccret  horror  creeps 
through  the  blood ; Confcience,  'the  fcorpion  of 
guilt,  ftrikes  his  fling  into  the  bofom;  fore- 
bodings, equally  dark  and  intolerable,  the  myf- 
terious  prefcntiment  of  “ judgment  to  come,” 
harrow  up  the  foul.  Whither,  in  this  extremity, 
fhall  they  turn  for  fuccour?  All  around  them 
is  one  dreary  wafte ; the  reign  of  filcnce  and  of 

* Ifaiah  xliv.  14 — 19. 

f Ward’s  Hiftory  of  the  Law  of  Nations,  vol.  i.  p.  8i — 8j,  IC4 — 
To6. 


^3 


tlefolailon.  No  friendly  voice  is  born  to  the 
Jifteningcar;  no  tower  of  help  rii'es  up  to  thq 
anxious  eye.  The  Comforter,  w ho  Ihould  com- 
fort their. fouls,  is  at'ar  oil'.  They  have  not 
heard,  like  you,  ot'  the  name  of  jefus.  They 
have  none  to  tell  them  of  “ redemption  through 
“ his  blood,  even  the  forgivenefs  of  fins,  accoid- 
■“  ing  to  the  riches,  of  his  grace.”*  And  the 
tcrmination.of  their  mortal  courfe — O brethren, 
how'  tremendous ! The  Heavens  blacken ; the 
tempeft  roars;  the  whirlwind  nifhes  by;  down 
pours  the  torrent ; and  w'ithout  a refuge,  and 
without  a hope,  they  are  fwept  away  in  the  ruin 
of  the  nations  that  forget  God. 

• Expofed  to  this  melancholy  fate,  the  Hca- 
<het^,clalrn  our  fyinpathy ; and  w'e  eagerly  aik. 
Is  their  doom  to  fuch  woe  irreverfibly  fealed  ? 
Are  they  fhut  out,  forever,  from  the  divine 
compaflions No  1 To  the  pralfe  of  his  grace, 
•Jehovah  hath  thoughts  of  merq’,  rich  mercy, 
towards  them.  Hk  will  destroy,  faith  the 
prophet,  the  covering  cajl  over  all  people,- and  the 
vail  that  is  fpi-ead  over  all  nations — a defign,  the 
contemplation  of  which  fonns  the 

II.  Part  of  dil'courfe. 

P'rom  the  days  of  eternity,  the  Father  hath 
gi\*en  toj  Mefliah  “ the  Heathen  for  his  inlierit- 
“ ance,  ^d  the  uttermoft  parts  of  the  earth  for 


Eph»L*7. 


! 


14 

“ his  poffeflion.”*  The  whole  earth,  there* 
fore,  being  included  in  the  covenant-grant, 
(hall  be  filled  with  the  knowledge,  and  fiib* 
dued  to  the  obedience,  of  Jehovah.  On  the 
maxims  of  carnal  wifdom,  the  fad  is,  indeed, 
impoflible,  and  the  expedation  wild.  To  ex- 
tirpate prejudices  implanted  in  infancy,  nurtur- 
ed by  habit,  confirmed  by  example,  and  con- 
fecrated  by  tradition — to  enlighten  the  ftupid 
idolater,  and  foften  the  ferocious  favage — to 
perfuade  men  to  defpife  as  contemptible,  and 
loathe  as  abominable,  the  objeds  of  their  refpcd 
and  veneration — in  a word,  to  change  the  opi- 
nions, the  cuftoms,’ the  charaders  of  nations; 
and  unite  them  in  a religion,  Ample,  holy,  hea- 
venly— a religion  oppofed  to  every  vicious  prin- 
ciple, and  every  vicious  ad — a religion  which 
profcribes  all  human  merit,  and  proftrates  all  hu- 
man pride — This  is  an  undertaking  wliich 
equally  defies  the  policy  and  the  power  of  man. 
And  the  belief  that  it  (hall,  at  any  time,  be  at- 
tended with  fuccefs,  furnilbes  inceflant  matter 
of  derifion  to  the  philofopher,  and  of  fncer  to 
the  witling.  Their  miftake  lies  in  fuppofing 
the  God  who  made  them  to  be  as  foolifh  and 
as  feeble  as  themfelves,  or  as  little  concerned  in 
the  falvation  of  finncrs.  But  we,  according  to 
his  promife,  look  for  the  interpofiti^n  of  his 

• V(.  ii.  8. 


I 


15 

irm,  by  which,  however  mean  the  inftruments, 
this  prodigious  revolution  lliall  be  effedled  with 
no  lei's  eal’e  than  certainty.  For, 

I . He  diredts  the  complicated  movements  of 
the  univerfe.  Howev’er  confufed  and  contra- 
didtory  things  may  appear  to  our  little  minds; 
with  him  whole  “ underftanding  is  infinite,” 
there  is  neither  furpril'e,  perplexity,  nor  chance. 

Known  unto  the  Lord  are  all  his  works  from 
“ the  beginning  of  the  world.”*  Not  only  are 
the  laws  of  matter  his  Ibvereign  will,  and  their 
operation  his  continual  agency,  but  the  whole 
fyftem  of  intelledt  is  under  his  control.  All 
the  difeordant  pafiions,  interefls,  deligns,  which 
dafh,  in  eternal  collilion,  the  affairs  of  men;  all 
the  adlivities  of  fuperior  intelligences,  as  well  the 
enmity  of  fiends  as  the  miniftr)^  of  angels,  are 
combined,  in  the  harmony  of  providence,  to 
produce  the  refult  which  he  hath  ordained ; and 
hither  every  occurrence  irrcflftibly  tends.  “ He 
“ doth  according  to  his  will  in  the  army  of  hea- 
“ ven,  and  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth.”-|- 
He  caufeth  “ the  wrath  of  man  to  praife  him, 
“ and  the  remainder  of  wrath  he  will  reftrain.”  J 
The  unpromifing  fituation,  therefore,  of  the 
Heathen,  is  no  obftacle  to  Ifrael’s  God,  and 
Ihould  be  none  to  Ifrael’s  faith.  Be  the  moun- 
tains of  difficulty  ever  fo  impaffable,  at  his  pre- 


Ads  ZT.  i8. 


I Dan.  iv.  35. 


; Pf.  Ixzvi.  10. 


i6 


fence  they  flee  away.  Let  the  “ nations' rage, 
“ and  the  kingdoms  be  moved,”  if  he  “ utter 
“ his  voice,  the  earth  is  melted.”* 

2.  The  glory  of  Mefliah  is  a chief  end  of  the 
difpenfations  of  providence.  ' . 

The  viciflitudes  of  kings  and  kingdoms,  and 
all  the  ftupendous  events  which  Ihine  in  ancient 
annals,  were  important  chiefly  as  they  lerved 
to  prepare  the  way,  and  to  fpread  the  triumphs, 
of  him  who  was  “ a light  to  lighten  the  Gen- 
“ tiles.”  For  this  God  gave  the  learning  of  the 
world  to  Greece,  and  its  empire  to  Rome.  Both 
contributed  to  facilitate  and  extend  the  viftories 
of  the  gofpel.  The  fame  defign  is  profccuted 
in  the  events  which,  at  this  moment,  allonifli 
the  world.  If  “ nation  rife  up  againft  nation, 
“ and  kingdom  againft  kingdom” — if  eftablilh- 
ments,  irapofing  from  their  antiquity,  and  formkl* 
able  from  their  ftrength,  be  undermined  by  the 
progrefs.  of  opinion,  or  lhattered  by  violent  cx- 
plofion — if  impiety  and  ambition,  and  all  the 
infuriate  paflions,  be  permitted  to  take  their 
courfe ; and  feenes  of  defolation  and  blood,  fuch 
as  hiftory  hath  not  learnt  to  record,  nor  imagina* 
tion  to  paint,  be  opened  to  our  view;  it  is,  that 
God  may  deftroy  the  dominion  of  hell  by  her 
own  chofen  legions,  and  make  them  fubfer\'c  the 
introduiftion  of  that  kingdom,  which  is  “ righte» 


• Pf.  xlvi.  6, 


*7 

oufnefs,  and  peace,  and  joy,  In  the  Holy 
" Ghoft.”  Thus  laith  his  high  decree,  I will 
“ overturn,  overturn,  overturn,  until  he  Hiall 
“ come  whole  right  it  is,  and  I will  give  it 
“ him.”*  - • • 

• 3.  In  the  fcriptures  of  the  prophets,  this  fpi- 
fitual  revolution,  by  which  the  “ kingdoms  of 
this  world  fhall  become  the  kingdoms  of  our 
Lord  and  of  his  Chrift,”-f  is  frequently  pre- 
dicted, and  ftrongly  marked,  “ All  the  ends  of 
*.'■  the  world  lhall  remember,  and  turn  unto  thfe 
LorI;  all  the. kindreds  of  the  nations  lhall 
“ worfhip  before  thee.;);  It  lhall  come  to  pafs,' 
“ in  the  laft  days,  that  the  mountain  of  the 

V Lord’s  houfe  lhall  be  ellablilhed  in  the  top 
“ of  the  mountains,  and  lhall  be  exalted  above 
“ the  hills,  and  all  nations  lhall  flow  unto  it ; 

And  rnany  people  lhall  go  and  lay,  come  ye, 
“ and  let  us  go  up  to  the  mountain  of  the  Lord, 
‘‘  to  the’  Houle  of  the  God  of  Jacob : and  he  will 

V teach  us  of  his  ways,  and  we  will  walk  in  his 
“ paths  So  that  “ from  the  riling  of  the 
“ fun,  even  unto  the  going  down  of  the  fame, 

his  name  lhall  be’  great  among  the  Gentiles,; 

V and  in  every  place  incenfe  fhall  be  offered  unto 
his  name,  and  a pure  offering.” ||  Is  there, 

fhen,  a nation  that  yet  “ fit  in  darkhefs  and  the 
Ihadow  of  death?”  for  them  “ light  is  fown,’' 


•Ez.xxi.27.  fR-ev.xi.  rj.  JPf.xxii.27.  § If.  ii.  13. . ||  Mai- >• 

c 


i8 


and  to  them  fliall  “ light  fpring  up.”  Is  there  i 
nation  mad  upon  their  idols  ?”  Jehovah  (hall 
“ familh  all  the  gods  of  the  earth,”  and  teach 
their  votaries  that  he  is  “ the  God  of  falvation,” 
and  that  “ there  is  none  befide  him.”  Is  there 
a nation  enflaved  to  fuperftition,  or  abufed  by 
impofture  ? He  fhall  “ fruftrate  the  tokens  of 
“ the  liars,  fliall  make  the  diviners  mad,”  and 
convert  the  bondage  of  their  followers  into  the 
liberty  of  his  dear  children.  “ Rejoice,  there- 
“ fore,  ye  Gentiles,  with  his  people.*  Faithful 
“ is  he  that  hath  promifed,  who  alfo  will  do 
‘‘  it.”f 

But  here  occurs  an  important  query.  By 
what  means  are  thefe  predidtions  to  be  fulfilled, 
and  thefe  profpefts  to  be  realized  ? The  means 
are  prepared ; they  are  extremely  fimple ; they 
are  in  your  hands — even  i/ie  dodrines  of  the  gof 
pel  of  peace.  And  this  is  the 

III.  And  lafl  topic  which  I propofed  to  dif- 
cufs — In  this  mountain,  faith  the  prophet, 
fhall  the  Lord  deftroy  the  vail  that  is  fpread 
over  all  nations. 

Mount  Zion,  to  which  Ifaiah  refers,  is  a fi- 
gure, moft  familiar  to  the  fcripture,  of  the 
Church  of  Chrift.  The  apoftle  Paul,  addrefs- 
ing  believers  under  the  New  Teftament,  fays, 
“Ye  are  come  unto  Mount  Zion.”J  And  the 


• Rom.  XT.  10.  t I Thcff.  iii.  12.  Heb.  x.  23.  t Hcb.  xii.  22. 


»9 

plain  fenfe  of  the  text  is,  that  the  Lord  will 
blefs  the  Heathen  outcafts,  by  “ caufing  them 
“ to  pafs  under  the  bond  of  his  covenant,”  and 
to  inherit  the  privileges  of  his  houfe;  and  this 
(hall  be  effedled,  by  ditfuling  among  them  the 
glad  tidings  of  falvation  through  our  Lord  Jefus 
Chrift,  “ Behold,”  faith  the  fure  word  of  pro- 
phecy, “ behold  thou  flialt  call  a nation  that 
“ thou  knoweft  not,  and  nations  that  knew  not 
“ thee  lhall  run  unto  thee,  becaufe  of  the  Lord 
**  thy  God,  and  for  the  Holy  one  of  Ifrael,  for 
“ he  hath  glorified  thee.”* 

Our  faith  on  this  point  will,  indeed,  provoke 
the  ridicule  of  a tribe  equally  vain  and  licentious, 
who  claim  to  be  tl>e  exclufive  benefactors  of 
mankind.  Rejecting,  with  opprobrium  and  in- 
fult,  the  gofpel  of  Chrift,  they  hail,  as  they 
fpeak,  a new  order  of  things,  and  the  world  is 
to  be  regenerated  by  a reafon  without  confciencei 
and  a philofophy  without  religion.  “ No  doubt 
“ ye  arc  the  people,  and  wifdom  (hall  die  with 
“ you.”-f  But  after  all  the  oftentation  and  cla- 
mour of  infidels,  what  reformation  has  been 
wrought  by  their  doCtrines  or  by  their  fpirit  ? 
During  forty  centuries,  reafon  and  philofophy 
had  the  world  almoft  to  themfelves.  Where  did 
they  overthrow  the  reign  of  idolatry?  From 
what  vice  did  they  reclaim  the  nations?  One 


• Ifauh  Iv.  5. 


t Job  xii.  3. 


520 


feet  of  pliik)fop^efs  rofe  on  the  ruin  of  anoth^, 
to  be  itfelf  the  aggrandizement  of  a third.  But 
the  world  lay  ftill  in  wickednefs;  its  difeafes 
rankled  with  increafing  fur)%  and  ftruck  deejier 
and  deeper  their  poifonous  roots,  under  the 
fucceflive  treatment  of  thefe  “ phylicians  of  no 
value.”  Eighteen  centuries  more  have,  nearly 
elapfed  fince  “ God  manifefted  in  the  fielh,  put 
“ away  fin  by  the  facrifice  of  himfelf:”  and  what 
has  been  done  in  elevating  the  chara<fter,  in  pu- 
rifying the  morals,  in  ameliorating  the  condition 
of  man,  that  has  been  done  without  the  aids  of 
his  gofpel  ? What' countries  have  the  priefthood 
of  unbelief  refeued  from  barbarifm?  Where 
» have  they  refilled  the  influence,  or  wiped  off  the 
fliame,  profligaq'  ? Where  have  they  promot- 
ed either  happinefs  or  virtue  in  public  or  in  pri- 
vate? Whom  have  they  taught  to  “ deny  un- 
“ godlinefs  and  w'orldly  lufts,  and  to  live  lobcrly, 
righteoufly,  and  godly?  By  their  fruits  ye 
fhall  know  them” 

- How  different  is  the  genius,  and  how  different 
has  been  the  career  of  the  gofpel  of  Chrifl ! When 
it  was  promulged  to  the  Heathen,  the  philofopher 
pronounced  it  folly,  and  fblked  difdainfully  by 
the  miflionary  of  the  crols : yet  tlu-ough  the  crofs 
did  the  miflionary  preach  forgivenefs  of  fins,  and 
life  everlafling ; and  lo,  the  throne  ofdarknefs  tot- 
tered to  its  fall ; the  Gentiles  “ turned  from  idols 
to  fer\’e  the  living  God.”  Abandoning,  at  once. 


21 


iheir  prejudices,  their  delulions,  and  their  lufts 
they  “ lied  for  refuge  to  lay  hold  on  the  hope 
“ let  before  them.”  The  face  of  the  world  was 
changed,  and  the  worldling  knev/  not  how. 
No  deep  fpeculations,  no  fubtle  reafonings,  no 
difplays  of  fcience,  converted  the  nations.  The 
procefs  was  very  Ihort,  and  very  fimple.  Their 
guilt  and  their  depravity — their  certain  deftruc- 
tion  without  pardon  and  renovation — the  grace 
of  God  in  fending  Chrift  Jefus  to  die  for  tin- 
ners— his  ability  to  fave  unto  the  uttermoft — 
and  the  freedom  of  his  falvation  to  the  moll 
worthlefs  and  vile,  are  the  truths  which  won  the 
Gentiles  to  the  obedience  of  Chrift.  It  is  this 
fame  gofpel  which,  at  this  hour,  turns  men 
“ from  darknefs  to  light,”  and  whicli  is  deftin- 
ed  to  “ carry  the  banners  of  the  crofs  vidlorious 
round  the  globe.”  Thofe  refined  moral  dif- 
quifitions  which,  under  the  garb  of  fermons, 
expel  vital  godlinefs  from  the  church,  will  ne- 
ver introduce  it  among  the  Heathen.  Who- 
ever hopes  to  gain  them  to  the  faith,  mull  imi- 
rate  the  Apoftle  Paul.  He  mull  “ preach 
“ Chrift  crucified,  to  the  Jews  a ftumbling  block, 
“ and  to  the  Greeks  foolilhnefs ; but  to  them 
“ w'ho  are  called,  both  Jews  and  Greeks,  Chrift, 
“ the  power  of  God,  and  the  wifdom  of  God.”* 
Adapted  to  every  clime  of  the  earth,  to  every 


1 Cor.  L 33,  24. 


22 


flage  of  fociety,  and  to  all  defcriptions  of  Its 
members ; unveiling  their  real  mifery,  and  bring- 
ing near  the  only  remedy;  difcovering,  at  once, 
their  wants,  and  the  means  of  fupplying  them ; 
and,  fcconded  by  the  energy  of  the  quicken- 
ing Spirit,  this  precious  gofpel  fallens  on  the 
confcience,  melts  the  heart,  thrills  the  very 
bones  and  marrow,  and  transforms  the  moll  ob- 
durate rebel  into  a willing  lubjecl  of  Jefus 
Chrill.  When  the  “ Lord  gives  tellimony  to 
“ the  word  of  his  grace,”  it  fhall  have  “ free 
“ courfe,  and  be  glorified.”  No  darknefs  too 
difmal  for  it  to  difpel,  no  prejudices  too  oblli- 
nate  to  fubdue.  “ Mighty,  through  God,  to 
“ the  pulling  down  of  llrong  holds,”  this  very 
gofpel  lhall  force  its  way  through  every  phyfical, 
and  every  moral  difficulty ; and  in  his  name  and 
llrength,  flaall  its  meflengers  call  down  im^ina- 
tions,  and  every  high  thought  that  lifteth  itfelf 
up  againll  the  obedience  of  Chrill.  “ Every 
“ valley  fhall  be  exalted,  and  every  mountain 
“ and  hill  lhall  be  made  low ; and  the  crooked 
“ lhall  be  made  llraight,  and  rough  places  plain. 
“ And  the  glory  of  the  Lord  lhall  be  revealed, 
“ and  all  flefli  fhall  fee  it  together ; for  the 
“ mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  fpoken  it.”* 

Come  then,  my  brethren,  let  us  alcend  the  hill 
of  God ; and,  aided  by  the  torch  of  the  Ikies,  let 


• Ifaiah  xl.  4, 


23 

US  look  through  the  furrounding  gloom,  to  the 
glories  that  lie  beyond.  Sec ! an  “ angel  flics 
“ through  the  midft  of  Heaven,  having  the  ever- 
“ lading  gofpel  to  preach  to  ever)'  nation,  and 
“ kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people.”*  The 
dandard  of  Shiloh  is  reared;  his  banner  waves 
on  high : the  great  trumpet  is  blown : the  nations 
hear,  and  gather  unto  him.  From  the  ead, 
from  the  wed,  from  the  north,  from  the  fouth, 
they  prefs  into  the  kingdom.  On  the  one 
hand,  is  the  plundering  Arab;  on  the  other,  the 
pitilels  Savage.  Here,  are  the  frozen  children 
of  the  Pole;  there,  the  fable  tribes  of  Afric; 
and  yonder,  the  long  difinherited  Jew  deals 
filently  to  his  Meffiah,  weeping  as  he  goes. 
Hark  ! the  din  of  arms,  and  the  tumult  of  bat- 
tle ceaie;  Difeord  and  War  retreat  back  to  hell ; 
and  ^ain  that  hymn  of  Angels  is  heard  below', 
“ Glor)'  to  God  in  the  highed ; on  earth  peace, 
“ good-will  tow'ards  men.”-h  The  redeemed  of 
the  Lord  raife  their  refponfive  fong,  “ Now  is 
“ come  falvation  and  drength,  and  the  kingdom 
“ of  our  Lord,  and  the  power  of  his  Chrid.”  J 
Brethren,  ’tis  no  illufion ; ’tis  “ the  fober  cer- 
“ taint)'”  of  truth  divine.  The  zeal  of  the  Lord 
of  Hods  will  perform  this — Hallelujah! 

And  NOW',  dear  brethren,  fhall  not  the  fird 
fentiment  of  our  hearts  be  a fentiment  of  grati- 
tude for  the  grace  of  God  manifeded  unto  us  ? 

* Rev.  xii.  6.  f Luke  ii.  I4.’  > { Rev.  sa.  10. 


24 


Let  it  never  be  forgotten,  that  we,  in  our  an- 
ceflors,  were  among  the  perilhiiig  outcafts. 
Yet  to  us  hath  the  word  of  falvation  been  fent. 
Without  the  gofpel  of  Jefus,  we  (hould  this  day 
have  been  burning  incenfe  unto, idols:  With- 
out the  gofpel  of  Jefus,  we  Ihould  have  been 
ftrangers  to  that  bleffed  hope  which  gives  to  life 
its  bell  relifh,  and.  takes  from  death  both  his 
terrors  and  his  fting.  O Chriftian,  Chriftian, 
remember,  that  if  thou  haft  efcaped  tlie  wrath 
to  come,  and  art  made  “ an  heir  of  God,  and 
“ a fellow  heir  with 'Jefus  .Chrift,”  it  is  to  the 
praife  of  fovereign  mercy.  Thy  father  was  an 
Amorite,  and  thy  mother  a Hittite ; and  thou 
mighteft  have  been  left,  with  the  Amorites  and 
Hittites,  to  die  in  thine  iniquity.  Yet  thou  liveft ; 
iiveft  unto  God;  liveft  for  glory;  and  lhalt  ne- 
ver come  into  condemnation,  and  never  tafte 
of  the  fecond  death.*  Thrice  blelTed  gof^xl; 
w'hich  “ hath  brought  life  and  immortality  td 
light Thrice  glorious  grace,  which  hath 
conftrained  any  of  us  to  receive  “ the  truth  in 
“ the  love  thereof:”  And  thrice  condefeending 
Saviour,  who  hath  “ walhed  us  from  our  fins  in 
his  own  blood,  and  hath  made  us  kings  and 
“ priefts  unto  God  and  his  father.”! 

2.  Si.ace  the  Lord  hath  deftroyed  the  vail  that 
was  fpread  over  us,  by  revealing  to  us  the  great 


• John  Y.  >4. 


f a Tim.  i.  10.  ' 


} Rev.  i.  5- 


. (alration,  let  all  who  have  hitherto  been  inditTer- 
ent  about  It,  be  deeply  imprelled  with  the  duty 
ot  embracing  it,  without  delay,  and  with  the  lln 
and  danger  of  neglecl;ing  it. 

. “ It  is  a faithful  laying,  and  worthy  of  all  ac- 
ceptation,  that  Chrilt  Jefus  came  into  the 
“ world  to  lave  the  chief  of  Tinners.”*  On  the 
authority  of  the  moll  high  God,  that  gofpel 
which  we  preach,  tenders  to  you,  my  brethren, 
to  evay  one  of  you,  a free  grant  of  this  Sa\-iour,‘ 
and,  in  him,  of  eternal  life:  and,  futfer  me  to 
add  with  all  lolemnity,  enjoins  your  acceptance 
of  it  at  the  peril  of  your  fouls.  This  is  it's  com- 
mandment ; this,  therefore,  is  your  duty,  your 
immediate,  your  indilpenfible  duh’,  to  believe 
on  the  name  of  his  Son,  Jefus  Chrift,  that  you 
may  be  faved.  A refufal  is  the  moll  aggra\'ated 
crime  which  you  can  poffibly  commit.  For  it 
not  only  approves,  with  deliberation,  all  your 
deeds  of  rebellion  againft  the  God  of  your  mer- 
cies, but  pours  contempt  on  the  riches  of  his 
grace,  and  throws  fcomlully  away  the  only  hope 
that  ever  has  been,  or  ever  lhall  be,  propofed  to 
guilty  men.  The  experiment,  therefore,  is  not 
lefs  dangerous  than  linful.  For  if  ye  rejeck 
Chrill  Jefus,  the  Lord,  “ there  remaineth  no 
“ more  facrilice  for  lin.”-f  And  when  Jehovah 
writeth  up  the  people,  he  will  count  that  ye 

? I Tim.  L I?.  f Hcb.  i.  j6. 

D * 


26 


“ trampled  under  foot  the  Son  of  his  love,  and 
“ deemed  the  blood  of  the  covenant  wherewith 
“ he  was  fandtified  an  unholy  thing;  and  did 
“ defpite  unto  the  fpirit  of  grace.”*  Think 
not  that  this  is  a matter  of  trifling  moment. 
If  the  gofpel,  which  you  hear  from  day  to  day; 
be  not  the  inftrument  of  your  converfion  to 
God,  it  fhall  be  the  occafion  of  your  more 
dreadful  condemnation.  If  not  “ the  favour 
“ of  life  unto  life,”  moft  certainly  “ the  favour 
“ of  death  unto  death.”“f  The  Heathen  will  rife 
up  in  the  judgment  againfl;  you,  and  will  con- 
demn you ; for  they  never  fhared  your  means  of 
falvation.  The  devils  will  rife  up  in  the  judg- 
ment againfl  you,  and  will  condemn  you ; for  no 
Saviour  was  provided  for  them;  and,  therefore, 
whatever  be  their  crimes,  the  rejedlion  of  a Me- 
diator’s blood  will  be  none  of  them.  Now,  then, 
“ as  though  God  did  befeech  you  by  us,  we  pray 
“ you,  in  Chrill’s  Head,  be  ye  reconciled  unto 
“ God.” I O that  ye  may  know,  in  this  your 
day,  the  “ things  that  belong  to  your  peace,  be- 
“ fore  they  be  hid  from  your  eyes!” 

3.  In  the  affurance  that  Jehovah  will  deflroy, 
by  the  prevalence  of  his  gofpel,  the  vail  fpread 
over  the  nations,  believers  may  fee  how  little  they 
have  to  fear  for  the  exiflence,  or  for  the  tri- 
umph, of  their  religion. 


• Heb.  X.  7,^. 


t 2 Cor.  ii.  16. 


^ 2 Cor.  V.  29. 


Infidelity,  it  is  true,  profpers;  and  hath  af- 
fumal  a mofl:  effrontful  air,  and  a nioft  impe- 
rious tone.  Her  threats  are  loud,  and  her  ex- 
pedtations  fanguine.  But  threats  as  loud  have, 
more  than  once,  been  put  to  lhame ; and  ex- 
pectations as  fanguine,  more  than  once,  been 
blafted.  Seventeen  centuries  ago  did  the  adver- 
farles  of  the  church  predict  her  fjieedy  downful ; 
but,  unlike  the  prophets  of  Jehovah,  they  prov- 
ed to  be  the  feers  of  a lie:  lire  hath  lived  to 
fee  their  rage  perifh,  their  monuments  moulder, 
their  names  fink  into  oblivion:  and  fuch  (hall 
be  the  iffue  of  her  prelent  conflidt.  She  can 
meet  with  no  alfault  more  furious  and  formida- 
ble than  thofe  which  fhe  hath  a thoufand  times 
met  and  a thoufand  times  foiled.  **  God  is  in 
the  midft  of  her;  Ihe  (hall  not  be  moved; 
“God  lhall  help  her,  and  that  right  early.”* 
Therefore,  “ no  weapon  that  is  formed  againft 
“ her  lliall  profper ; and  every  tongue  that 
“ rifeth  in  judgment  againft  her,  fhe  lhall  con- 
demn.”-)- The  temporar}^  fuccefs  of  the  infidel 
fhould,  indeed,  confirm  our  faith,  becaufe  it 
verifies  the  feriptures.  Our  mailer,  Chrift, 
hath  told  us,  that  this  fhall  be  one  of  the  figns 
of  his  approach : “ when  the  fon  of  man 
“ cometh,  lhall  he  find  faith  on  the  earth  ?| 
Every  infidel  under  Heaven  is,  then,  a witnefs 


Pf.  xlvi.  5. 


t Ifaiah  liv.  17. 


; Luke  zviii.  S. 


28 


for  Chriflianlty ; and  carries  in  his  forehead  the 
proclamation  that  it  is  divine — Let  him  enjoy 
his  exultation.  Under  a control  which  he  can 
neither  elude  nor  refill,  he  is  really,  though  ig- 
norantly, working  his  own  dcftruftion,  and  the 
aggrandizement  of  Melliah.  His  progrefs  Ihall 
be  arrefted,  and  his  boaft  confounded,  when- 
ever he  lliall  have  performed  the  part  allotted  to 
him  in  the  “ detenninate  counfel  and  fore- 
“ knowledge  of  God.”  In  our  patience,  there- 
fore, let  us  poffefs  our  fouls.  What,  though 
Blafphemy  difplay  his  columns  in  defiance  to  the 
armies  of  the  living  God  ? What,  though  Dif- 
order  fpread  from  pole  to  pole,  and  mingle  the 
nations  in  univerfal  uproar What,  though 
the  foundations  be  dellroyed,  their  fabrics  over- 
turned, and  earth  quiver  under  the  falling  wreck  ? 
That  Jefus  whom  we  worlhip,  fitteth  king  for- 
ever : He 

“ Rides  in  the  whirlwind,  and  directs  the  storm.” 

With  all  power  in  heaven  and  in  earth,  he  will 
bring  order  out  of  confulion,  and  light  out  of 
darknefs.  In  the  moment  of  decifion  he  will 
arife,  and  plead  his  own  caufe.  When  he  ap- 
pears, in  glory,  to  build  up  Zion,  his  enemies 
fliall  lick  the  very  dull.  The  infidel,  to  his 
aftonifl-jment,  will  find,  that  in  planting  the  feeds 
of  unbelief,  lie  was  planting  laurels  for  the  crofs; 


29 


and  the  believer,  to  his  unfpeakable  joy,  that 
all  the  trials  of  the  church,  and  all  the  tumults 
of  the  world,  were  but  preparative  to  the  reign 
of  righteoufnefs  “ in  the  ages  of  peace.” 

4.  The  fubjefb  which  has  this  evening  occu- 
pied our  attention,  places,  in  a ftrong  light, 
both  the  obligation  which  lies  on  Chriftlans  to 
evangelize  the  Heathen,  and  their  encouragement 
to  attempt  it. 

If  we  count  it  life  eternal  to  know  the  only 
true  God,  and  Jefus  Chrift  whom  he  hath 
tent,  our  bowels  mull  yearn  over  thofe  who  are 
acquainted  with  neither.  But,  it  would  be 
more  than  unkind,  and  worle  than  reproach- 
ful, were  our  beft  fympathies  to  evaporate  in 
empty  words,  or  empty  wiflies.  We  are  call- 
ed not  merely  to  condolence,  but  to  aftion. 
A number  of  the  families  yet  under  the  vail, 
are  our  neighbours.  They  border  on  our 
ccuntr}^;  they  are  accefllble  to  our  enterprlzc. 
Prompt  and  fplrited  meafures  for  introducing 
among  them  the  gofpel  of  Chrift,  are  our 
bounden  duty. 

Our  duty — becaufe  we  have  the  means  of 
grace,  and  they  have  not.  The  unfearchable 
riches  of  Chrift  have  been  poured  in  upon  us, 
while  they  are  langulfhing  in  fpiritual  poverty. 
They  muft  addrefs  themfelves  for  help  to  Jome 
more  favoured  than  thelrfelves;  and  to  whom, 
with  a mere  imperious  claim  than  to  us  ? The 


very  difference  of  our  fituation  creates  us  their 
debtors : the  vicinity  of  our  refidence  doubles 
the  debt.  The  word  and  ordinances  were  be- 
llowed upon  us,  not  only  that  ourfelves  might 
be  faved,  but  that  we  might  minifter  to  the  (al- 
vation  of  others.  Our  polleffion,  therefore,  of 
the  glorious  gofpel,  implies,  in  the  very  nature  of 
the  privilege,  an  obligation  to  extend  it  as  far  as 
poflible.  Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  ye  mufl 
give.  This  is  the  way  in  which  the  gofpel  ever 
has  been,  and  ever  muft  be  diffufed.  Though 
the  emploj’ment  w'ould  dignify  angels,  God  hath 
committed  it  to  men.  They  who  polTefs  the 
treafure  mull  impart  it  to  others;  and  thefe, 
again,  to  more ; till  palling,  “ in  earthen  veflels,” 
from  people  to  people,  and  from  clime  to  clime, 
it  enrich  the  world.  An  attempt  to  monopolize* 
or,  which  amounts  to  the  fame  thing,  a refufal  to 
circulate  it,  is  treafon  againft  the  law  of  the  king-r 
dom.  And  let  it  not,  my  brethren,  be  our  dif- 
honour  and  our  crime,  to  betray  both  ingrati- 
tude to  our  Redeemer,  and  cruelty  to  our  fellow 
men,  by  declining  to  communicate  to  them  the 
mercies  which,  through  the  inflrumcntality  of 
others,  he  hath  lavilhed  upon  us. 

With  the  fupjeriority  of  our  privileges,  the 
genius  of  our  profeflion  confpires  to  challenge  our 
interference  in  behalf  of  the  Heathen.  As 
Chriflians,  we  profefs  that  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  Jefus  is  the  objeft  moll  dear  to  our  hearts. 


and  moft  worthy  of  our  purfuits.  We  profefs 
to  believe  that  the  redemption  of  the  foul  is  pre- 
cious, and  that,  without  the  virtue  of  his  blood, 
it  ceafeth  forever.  Is  this  a fincere  profeflion 
Can  it  at  all  confift  with  unwillingnefs  to  ufe 
every  means  in  our  power  for  diffufing,  far  and 
near,  the  fweet  favour  of  his  name  ? Mull  not 
a guilty  blulh  crimfon  our  faces,  if  we  prefume 
to  pray  “ thy  kingdom  come,”  when  we  are 
confcious  that  we  have  done  nothing,  are  doing 
nothing,  endeavour  to  do  nothing,  for  the  pro- 
motion of  his  kingdom  ? Do  we,  in  very  deed, 
believe,  that  there  is  no  falvation  m any  other; 
no  name  given  under  Heaven  whereby  finners 
can  be  faved,  but  the  name  of  Jefus  Chrift,  and 
yet  look  coolly  on,  while  multitudes  of  the 
Heathen  are  peridiing  within  our  reach;  nor 
ever  ftretch  out  a hand  for  their  relief.^  Yes, 
my  brethren,  a generous  and  perfevering  attempt 
to  proclaim  among  them  the  glad  tidings  of  a 
Saviour,  is  a tribute  to  the  decency  of  our 
Chrillian  profeflion;  and  it  is  a tribute  which 
their  moft  afflidlin^  neceflities  forbid  to  be  de- 
ferred  any  longer. 

If  you  heard  of  a number  of  human  beings 
Ihut  out  from  every  fuftenance,  and  falling,  in 
rapid  fucceflion,  the  vidllms  of  famine,  and  knew, 
at  the  fame  time,  that  vigorous  exertion  might 
refcue  the  furvivors,  what  anxiety  would  thrill 
every  heart,  what  eagernefs  animate  every  coun- 


tenance!  How  would  the  hand  pour  forth  it5 
{pontaneous  benefactions ! How  fpecdily  would 
meflengers  be  difpatched  with  the  ftaff  of  life  ! 
Alas  ! my  brethren,  we  fpeak  to  you  of  a more 
terrible  famine ; “ a famine  not  of  bread,  nor  a 
“ third;  for  water,  but  of  hearing  of  the  word 
“ of  the  Lord.”*  We  plead  with  you  not  for 
expiring  bodies ; it  is  the  fplrit,  the  fpirit  that 
dies  1 To  the  heart  of  the  Chriftian  be  our  ap- 
peal. Suppofe  thy  bible  taken  from  thee ; thy 
fabbaths  blotted  from  thy  days;  the  mercies  of 
the  fandluary  fled ; thy  father’s  fellowihip  denied ; 
thy  hopes,  “ full  of  immortality,”  vanifhedj 
the  fliadows  of  eternal  night  ftretching  over  thy 
foul — And  if  the  thought  be  more  intolerable 
than  ten  thoufand  deaths,  think  of  yonder  Pa- 
gans, without  God,  and  without  hope.  Ah  ! 
while  the  fentence  is  on  my  lips,  they  are  pafs- 
ing,  by  hundreds,  into  that  world  unfeen,  with 
no  renewing  Spirit,  and  no  atoning  blood  1 
“ Oh  that  mine  head  were  waters,  and  mine 
“ eyes  a fountain  of  tears,”-}'  that  I might  weep 
unccafmgly  over  the  mighty  ruin  ! 

If  any  additional  argument  can  be  needed 
to  render  the  proof  of  our  duty,  on  this  point, 
completely  triumphant ; that  argument  is  luppli- 
cd  by  the  command  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrirt. 
When  he  left  this  world,  and  went  unto  the 


• Amos  viii.  II. 


t Jer.  ix.  I. 


33 

Father,  his  parting  injundlion  to  his  follower 
was,  “ Go  ye  and  teach  all  nations.”*  And 
that  the  precept  is  binding  upon  the  whole 
church  to  the  end  of  time,  the  promife  of  his 
prefence  and  fupport  moft  clearly  evinces — “ Lo, 
“ I am  with  you  always,  even  loifo  the  end  of 
“ the  worlds  The  command,  being  exprefs  and 
full,  leaves  no  room  for  evalion.  It  cither  obli* 
gates  <z//,  or  obligates  none.  If  we  may  be  ex- 
empted without  fin,  the  exemption  mull  extend 
to  every  Chrillian  Society  under  Heaven ; and 
then  the  mailer’s  commandment  would  be  a 
nullity,  and  his  promile  have  neither  grace  nor 
meaning.  In  this  matter,  therefore^  my  bre- 
thren, we  are  by  no  means  guiltlefs.  With  a fin- 
gle  exception,-}*  all  denominations  of  Chriftians 
among  us  have  violated  their  faith  to  their  Lord ; 
and  are  now  chai^eable  with  habitual  difrefpe(5t 
to  his  authority.  Inllead  of  haftening,  with  ge- 
nerous emulation,  to  the  aid  of  the  Heathen, 
we  have  gone,  one  to  his  farm,  and  another  to 
his  mercliandize : we  have  clamoured  for  the 
fliibboleths  of  party,  and  have  been  unanimous 
(ah,  lliameful  unanimity!)  in  declining,  on  car- 
nal and  frivolous  excufes,  that  work  of  faith, 
that  labour  of  love.  Now,  therefore,  thus  faith 
the  Lord,  confider  your  ways.  If  we  perfift  in 

* Mat.  xxviii.  19. 

t The  honour  of  this  exception  belongs  to  the  Morayian  bre- 
thren. 

E 


34 

neglefting  thcle  Heathen,  while  we  have  the 
means  of  fending  the  gofpel  to  them,  they  (hall 
die  in  their  iniquity ; but  their  blood  may  be 
required  at  our  hands.  . ' 

Let  no  one  object  'difficulties.^  In  a queftion 
of  plain  duty,  a believer  is  not  to  be  deterred  by 
difficulties.  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  is  his 
warrant : and  as  long  as  there  is  nothing  too  hard 
for  omnipotence,  there  is  nothing  to  juftify  difo-^ 
bedience  or  demur.  Unbelief  looks  at  oppofi- 
tion,  and  faints-  Faith  looks  at  the  promife  of 
God,  and  conquers.  In  the  ftrength  of  the  pro* 
mife,  worm  Jacob  threfhes  the  mountains,  and 
beats  them  fmall  as  chaff.  It  is  the  way  of  the 
Holy  one  of  Ifrael  to  order  his  fervants  on  diffi- 
cult duty,  without  (hewing  them  immediately 
how  they  are  to  fucceed.  Referving  to  himfelf 
the  manner  and  the  praife  of  their  vidloiy,  he 
kiys  upon  them  a neceffity  of  trufting  his  faith- 
fulnefs  ; and  they  never  did,  and  never  (hall 
truft  it  in  vain. 

But  why  do  I fpcak  of  difficulties.'*  The 
moft  formidable  ones  which  mull  be  encountered 
in  a miffion  to  the  Heathen,  have  been  over- 
come, and  are  daily  overcome,  by  the  tirmnefs 
and  intrepidity  of  caimal  men.  They  can  vifit 
the  favage  tribes,  can  crofs  their  rivers,  climb 
their  mountains,  traverfe  their  forclls ; can  learn 


* See  the  Note  fubjoined  to  the  DLTcourfe. 


-35 

their  language,  conform  to  their  manners,  ac- 
quire their  confidence;  can  patiently  fubmit  to 
hunger  and  cold,  fatigue  and  peril : — For  what  ? 

* To  decorate  earthly  fcience,  or  to  colledt  the 
dull  of  lucre,  or  the  vapours  of  fame.  They 
pretend  to  no  divine  command ; they  think  of 
no  divine  fupjxjrt.  Yet  we,  who  talk  familiarly 
of  both,  turn  pale  at  the  mention  of  thofe  obfta- 
cles  which  tliey  continually  furmount.  Whence 
this  refolutenefs  on  the  one  fide,  and  this  timidity 
on  the  other ! The  uncourtly  truth  is,  that  the 
men  of  the  world  are  in  eai  nejl,  and  we  are  not. 
And  what  mull  they,  what  can  they  conclude 
from  our  fupinenefs  ? Either  that  our  religion 
is  falfe,  or  that  we  do  not  believe  it?  How 
long  ere  this  reproach  be  wiped  away  ? Duty 
urges  ; Milery  implores ; thoufands  of  precious 
fouls  are  the  depending  ftake ; and  not  a mo- 
ment is  to  be  loft.  In  the  work  before  us,  in 
the  immortal  work  of  evangelizing  the  Hea- 
then, let  us  roufe  each  latent  enei^%  and  brave 
oppofition  like  good  foldiers  of  Jefus  Chrift. 
And  certainly  the  encouragement  is  as  great 
as  the  call  is  prefling.  As  far  as  man,  w’ith 
the  lights  of  prophecy,  can  judge,  the  time  is 
not  very^  diftant,  when  God  lhall  arife,  and 
have  mercy  upon  Zion.  What  mean  thefe 
dire  convulfions  ? this  crafti  of  kingdoms  ? thefe 
torrents  of  blood  ? He  who  can  here  difcover 
only  the  Ihock  of  human  interefts,  or  the  mad- 


3^ 

ncfs  of  human  pafSons,  hath  not  penetrated  be- 
yond fecondary  and  inftrumental  agencies.  From 
the  eminence  of  fcriptural  predidtion,  a humble 
believer  overlooks  the  mole -hill  of  worldly  politics, 
and  defcries  the  moving  power,  and  the  neceflary 
effedt,  of  the  machinery  of  Providence.  To  him 
it  is  evident  that  Jehovah  “ lhakes  the  nations,” 
and  is  lliaking  them,  that  “ the  defire  of  all  na- 
“ tions  may  come.”  And  hence  his  faith  derives 
an  eftablilhment,  and  his  hope  an  elevation, 
which  earth  is  as  unable  to  deftroy  as  to  create. 
Impending  calamity,  then,  Ihould  ftimulate,  and 
not  difhearten,  the  difciples  of  Jefus.  The  walls 
of  Jcrufalem  are  commonly  built  in  troublous 
times.  Nor  hath  the  career  of  the  gofpel  been 
ever  more  ample  and  brilliant,  than  in  the  days 
which  were  memorable  for  “ diftrefs  of  nations, 
with  perplexity;  the  fea  and  the  waves  roar- 
‘‘  ing;  men’s  hearts  failing  them  for  fear;  and 
“ looking  after  thofe  things  which  were  coming 
“ upon  the  earth.”*  In  thefe  circumftances  of 
dilafter  and  difmay,  the  people  of  God  are  charg- 
ed to  look  up,  and  lift  up  their  heads,  becaufe 
their  redemption  draweth  nigh,  and  the  Son  of 
Man  is  coming  with  great  power  and  glory.  If 
thefe  are,  in  any  degree,  the  figns  of  the  times, 
then,  now  is  the  time  for  the  armies  of  Ifrael  to 
gird  every  man  his  fword  on  his  thigh,  and  fol- 
low David,  his  king,  to  conqueft  and  gloiy. 

• Luke  xxi.  25,  j6. 


37 

If  from  the  fphere  of  politics  vve  turn  to  that 
of  religion,  we  fliall  behold  events  which  ought 
to  convert  every  doubt  into  proof,  and  every  with 
into  a vow.  While  the  fpirit  of  dii'cord  rages 
in  the  world,  the  fpirit  of  union  and  of  love  de- 
feends  upon  the  church.  Bej  ond  the  waters  of 
the  Atlantic,  our  brethren  in  the  faith  and  pa- 
tience of  jefiis,  rejoice  in  his  moil  benignant  in- 
fluences. 'Aftonilliing  I'pedacle ! The  fpell  of 
party  is  broken ; the  antipathies  of  the  cradle 
expire ; the  ftrife  of  ages  ceales ; and  a fweeter 
harmony  of  heart  and  of  meafures,  among  Chrif- 
tians  of  different  name,  is  produced  in  an  hour; 
than  has  been  granted  to  the  intreaties,  the  la- 
bours, the  prayers,  of  the  bdl  of  men,  for  cen- 
turies together ! 

. Do  you  demand  the  caufe  of  this  gracious 
unanimity?  It  is  the  doing  of  the  Lord.  Its 
object?  It  is  the  extenlion  of  the  Mediator’s 
kingdom.  Its  fruits?  They  are,  already,  em- 
balTies  of  peace  to  the  Heathen.  Great  is  the 
company  who  have  gone  forth,  with  primitive 
zeal,  to  publilh  the  word  of  life.  The  proba- 
bility is  that  Chrilt  crucified,  that  Chrift  whom 
our  fouls  love,  is,  at  this  moment,  preached  to 
the  barbarians  of  the  fouthern  feas ; and  that  an 
evangelical  miflion  is  on  its  w'ay  to  the  interior 
of  Africa!  Ye  fervants  of  the  moft  high  God, 
who  Ihew  unto  the  Gentiles  the  v;ay  of  falvation, 
all  hail ! May  the  Breaker  go  up  before  you ; 


38 

even  Jehovah  on  the  head  of  you ; may  he  cheer 
you  with  his  prefence,  fill  you  with  his  Spirit, 
clothe  you  with  his  bleffing ! And  what  more 
aufpicious  omen  can  we,  my  brethren,  defire? 
When  the  work  is  actually  begun;  when  it  has 
received  the  moft  unequivocal  tokens  of  divine 
approbation,  lhall  we  ftill  linger,  and  tempt  the 
Lord  by  afkihg  any  further  figns?  To  him 
who  is  not  blind,  the  finger  of  his  providence 
points ; to  him  who  is  not  deaf,  the  voice  of  his 
providence  calls.  Incitement  of  a more  imperi- 
ous kind  would  encroach  on  the  province  of 
miracle. 

- If  to  thefe  encouragements  we  add  the  pro- 
mife  of  our  mafter  in  Heaven,  Reludtance  will 
be  cut  off  from  her  laft  retreat.  He  hath  faid, 
that  he  wall  be  with  his  people  in  their  attempts 
to  teach  the  nations.  If,  on  a defign  fo  tnily 
Chriftian,  we  go  in  his  name,  and  in  his  ftrength, 
w'e  have  a right  to  exped  his  aid ; nor  is  it  poflible 
that  he  fhould  abandon  us,  or  put  us  to  fhame. 
He  hath  bound  himfelf,  by  the  oath  of  his  cove- 
nant, to  beat  down  oppofition  before  thofe  who, 
obedient  to  his  authority,  conilrained  by  his  love, 
and  confiding  in  his  truth,  enter  upon  arduous 
duty;  and  the  glor}^  of  his  crown  is  flaked  on 
the  iffue.  With  the  Lord  of  Hofls  on  our  fide, 
whom  or  what  fliall  we  fear  ? I'o  him  all  diffi- 
culties arc  alike.  At  his  command  the  treafures 
of  the  earthling:  fliall  flow  in  the  feivice  of  the 

O 


39 

crols;  arid,  hundreds  (hall  arife  to  folicit,  as' an 
enviable  diftindlion,  the  office  of  a.gofpel-herald 
to  the  favages.  Clad  in  the  armour  of  the  fanc- 
tuary,  and  condufted  by  the  “ Captain  of  fal- 
“ vation,”  they  lhall  go  forth  “ conquering  and 
“ to  conquer.”  Ere  his  promife.  fail,  the  moun- 
tains  fliall  fink,  the  vallies  rife,  tlie  rivers  be 
driven  back  to  their  fources,  and  Ocean  .again  di- 
vide his  waters.  Who,  then,  are  on  the  Lord’s 
fide  ? Who  prefer  the  falvation  of  men  above 
their  chiefeft  joy.?  Who  burn  to  hide  the  dil- 
honour  of  the  paft  in  the  glory  of  the  future, 
and  afpirc  to  the  dignity  of  being  fellow^  workers 
with  God?  Let  them,  with  one  heart  and  one 
foul,  in  the  faith  of  the  gofpel,  in  the  good 
will  of  brethren,  in  the  bowels  of  Jefus  Chrift, 
forthwith  pledge  themfelves  to  each  other,  to 
thofe  apoftolical  believers  beyond  the  lea,  to  the 
Heathen,  who  are  perifhing  for  lack  of  vifion, 
that  they  will  unite  their  efforts  to  fill  the  dark 
places  of  the  land  with  the  light  of  God’s  falva- 
tion. Should  we  fucceed  in  the  converfion  of  a 
fingle  Pagan,  the  acqulfition  would  infinitely  re- 
pay our  expenditure  and  our  toil.  For  our  Lord 
himfelf  hath  pronounced  the  whole  world,  in 
comparifon  with  one  foul^  to  be  a thing  of  nought. 
But  O,  my  brethren,  who  fliall  count  the  num- 
ber, or  define  the  extent,  or  limit  the  duration, 
of  thofe  bleffings  which  our  exertions  may  be 
inftrumental  in  imparting  to  the  Heathen ! 


4? 

Who, (hall  flop  the  river  of  life  in  its  courfe 
through  their  parched  foil  ? Moft  tranfporting 
thought ! . that  thoufands  of  believers  whom  we 
(hall  never  fee  in  the  fleih;  and  tens  of,thou- 
lands,  who  lhall  come  into  being'  when  we  are 
gathered  unto  our  fathers,  may  trace  their  know- 
ledge of  tlie  Saviour  to  the  execution  of  that 
plan  in  virtue  of  which  I addrefs  you  this  even- 
ing! and  1 that  its  magnificent  refult  may  never 
be  fully  difclofed,  till  the  myftery  of  providence 
be  finilhed,  the  eledion  of  grace  brought  in,  and 
the  fhout  of  final  redemption  thunder  through 
the  temple  of  God  I ' 


NOTE  to  Page  34. 


objection  to  millions  among  the  Indians,  or  other  favagesi 
tvhich  many  view  as  uiiaiifwcrabie,  is,  “ that  fome  confiderable 
“ progrefs  in  civilization  is  previoufly  ncccflary  to  prepare  a peo* 
“ pie  for  the  reception  of  Chrillianity.  You  mull  firll  make  them 
“ men,  fay  the  patrons  of  this  opinion,  before  you  nuke  them  Chrif* 
“ tiaus.  You  mull  teach  them  to  live  in  fixed  habitations,  to  alTo- 
“ date  in  villages,  to  cultivate  the  foil,  and  then  you  may  hope  that 
“ they  will  hear  and  underlland  when  you  unfold  the  fublime  princi- 
“ pies  of  i^e  gofpel.”* 

Plaufible  and  popular  as  this  objedlion  is,  it  is  equally  unfupported 
by  reafon,  by  feripture,  or  by  fadl. 

If  the  gofpel  cannot  fucceed  among  the  Indians,  for  example, 
the  obllacle  mull  be  either  in  their  underllandings  or  in  their  man- 
ner of  life. 

The  former  opinion  “ fuppofes  a wider  dilTerence  between  the 
“ underllanding  of  the  man  of  the  woods  and  the  man  of  the  city, 
“ than  what  does.  In  fadl,  take  place.  The  human  mind  is  not, 
“ in  any  country,  below  the  reach  of  difcIpUne  and  religious  inllruc- 
“ tioB.  The  American  Indian,  the  Pacific  Illander,  and  the  Afrl- 
“ can  negro,  are  fhrewd  men,  whofe  intelledual  capacity  will  not 
“ fuffer  in  comparifon  with  the  uneducated  claffes  of  people  on  the 
“ continent  of  Europe.”f  Why  Ihould  it,  fince  it  is  culture,  and 
that  alone,  which  dellroys  the  level  of  abilities  naturally  equal? 
Surely  the  Indian,  whofe  necelfities  compel  him  not  only  to  hunt 
and  filh  for  his  fubfillence,  but  to  be.  In  a great  meafure,  his  own 
artificer,  as  well  as  the  guardian  of  his  private  and  public  right, 
mull  be  fuperior,  in  point  of  general  underllanding,  to  thofe  vail  bo- 
dies of  Europeans  whofe  intelligence  the  divifion  of  labour  has  con- 
fined to  a detached  article  of  manufadure,  or  to  the  merely  fervile 
operations  of  agriculture.  Indeed,  all  the  national  traofadions  with  the 
Indians  Ihew  them  to  poflefs  great  acutenefs,  and  no  linall  lhare  of 

* Dr.  Hardy's  f of  Edinburgh ) Sermon  before  the  Society,  in  Scotland, 
for  propagating  Religious  Knoiuledge,  p.  I4. 

t li-  f 15- 


F 


42 


what  learning  cannot  bellow — common  fenfe.  How  feldom  will 
you  find,  I do  not  fay  among  the  vulgar,  but  among  the  polilhcd 
orders  of  fociety,  better  fpecimens  of  well-formed  idea,  and  of  ge- 
nuine eloquence,  than  are  frequent  in  the  Indian  talks  ? 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  their  manner  of  life  be  confidered  as  pre- 
fenting  the  decifive  obftacle,  this  opinion  fuppofcs  it  much  more  dif- 
ficult to  alter  outward  habits  than  inward  principles.  Chrillians 
will  not  difpute  that  the  gofpel  can  and  does  transform  both  the 
heart  and  the  charadter ; yet  it  is  thought  unable  to  overcome  a pro- 
pehfion  to  wandering  from  place  to  place-  The  plain  meaning  of 
the  objeAion,  therefore,  is  this,  that  fome  means  more  po-werful  than 
the  go/pel,  mull  be  applied  to  civilize  the  Indians,  and  prepare  them 
for  its  reception.  J’or  if  it  be  admitted,  that  the  gofpel  can  civilize 
as  well  as  fave,  the  objedlion  falls  at  once  to  the  ground.  But  if  its 
power  to  civilize  be  denied,  while  its  power  to  fave  is  admitted,  it 
becomes  the  objedlors  to  Ihew  the  reafon  of  this  dillindlion;  and 
alfo,  what  thofe  more  effedlual  means  of  civilization  are.  Be  they 
what  they  may,  fince  the  gofpel  is  excluded,  they  muft  be  merely  hu- 
man; and  then  the  principle  of  the  objedlion  turns  out  to  be  this, 
that  the  wifdom  of  man  is  better  adapted  to  civilize  the  Indians, 
than  the  wifdom  of  God. 

Further;  the  objedlion  fuppofes  that  favages  are  to  be  civilized 
without  any  religious  aid.  For  whatever  arguments  prove  the  utility, 
in  this  matter,  of  religion  at  all,  conclude,  with  tenfold  energy,  in 
favour  of  the  religion  of  Chrift.  But  to  negledl  the  religious  prin- 
ciple, would  be  to  negledt  the  moft  potent  auxiliary  which  can  be 
employed  in  managing  human  nature ; and  to  adl  in  the  fpirit  of  that 
wife  j)hllofophy  which  would  eredl  civil  fociety  upon  the  balls  of 
Atheifm. 

It  would  fwell  this  note  into  a differtation,  to  ftatc  the  various 
confiderations  which  militate  againft  the  idea  of  civilizing  the  Indi- 
ans before  we  attempt  to  chrillianize  them.  But  gfranting  this,  for 
a moment,  to  be  neceflary,  who  lhall  eflfedl  it?  Philofophers?  Mer- 
chants? Politicians  ? If  we  wait  for  them,  the  fun  will  expend  his 
lafl  light,  and  the  bufinefs  be  unfinilhed.  The  Indians  have  had  in- 
tercourfe  with  the  whites,  in  the  concerns  of  trade  and  policy,  nearly 
two  hundred  years,  and  moft  of  them  are  as  wild  as  ever.  To  put 
off  evangelical  millions  to  them,  till,  in  the  ordinary  courfe  of  things, 
they  become  civilized,  is,  therefore,  equivalent  to  putting  them  off 
forever. 

2.  If  the  opinion  that  the  gofpel  can  fucceed  only  among  civiliz- 
ed people,  receives  little  countenance  from  reafon,  it  receives  Icfs 
from  feripturq. 


43 


No  fuch  refiriiflion  of  iu  iofluence  is  conteroplated  in  projihrcy. 
It* * * §  univcrfal  reception  is  the  fubjedl  of  numberlefs  prcdi<5)ions ; but 
they  contain  not  a hint  that  the  want  of  civilization  (hall  be  fuch  a 
bar  to  its  progrefs  a*  i*  cominonly  imagined.  On  the  contrary,  it 
is  czprefsly  declared,  that  the  mod  roving  and  untutored  tribes  (ball 
rejoice  in  Meiliah's  falvatiun,  cvcn^wjjjlc  they  retain  their  unpoliihed 
tharaders  and  manners.  “ Sing  unto  the  Loan  a new  fong — Let 
“ the  wildernefs  and  the  cities  thereof  lift  up  their  voice,  the  villa- 
“ ges*  that  Kedar  doth  inhabit — Let  the  inhabitants  of  the  rock  fing; 
“ let  them  Ihout  from  the  top  of  the  moumains.’’f  Beyond  all  con- 
troverfy,  the  general  fenfe  of  the  prophet,  in  the  words  of  that  ele- 
gant fcholar,  Bifliop  Lowth,  is,  that  “ the  mod  uncultivated  coun- 
“ tries,  and  the  mod  rude  and  unciviKzed  people,  (hall  confefs  and 
“ celebrate,  with  thankfgiving,  the  blelTing  of  the  knowledge  of 
God  gracioufly  imparted  to  them.”j  And  he  particularizes,  as 
an  example,  thofe  wild  Arabs,  who,  in  every  point  of  comparifon, 
were  as  inaccelTible  to  the  gofpel  as  the  American  Indians. 

No  fuch  redriftion  was  thought  of  by  the  Apodle  Paul.  He 
was  a debtor  not  more  to  the  Greeks  than  to  the  barbarians.§  He 
maintains,  that  in  the  body  of  Chrid  “ there  is  neither  Greek  nor 
“ barbarian,  Scythian,  bond  nor  free.”  A pofition  which  evi- 
dently alTumes,  that  barbarians  or  Scythians  might  be  Chridians  no 
Icfs  than  Jews  or  Greeks,  bondmen  or  free. 

No  fuch  redritdion  is  to  be  fonnd  in  the  commifllon  which  the 
Lord  Jefus  hath  left  his  church.  Thus  it  runs,  “ Go  and  teach  all 
" motions — Go  ye  into  all  the  nuorld,  and  preach  the  gofpel  to  every 
“ creature"  manifedly,  every  human  creature,  for  fuch  only  are  ob- 
jeds  of  the  gofpel-falvation.  Not  a fyllable  about  civilization.  And, 
unlefs  it  can  be  proved,  that  Indians,  and  other  favages,  are  neither 
nations  nor  human  creatures;  or,  if  they  are,  that  they  are  in  no 
part  of  the  world,  the  prejudice  we  are  combatting  mud  be  aban- 
doned as  in  dire(d  oppodtion  to  the  will  and  the  commandment  of 
Chrid. 

Such  a fedridlion,  moreover,  effaces  the  chief  charadler  and  glory 
of  the  gofpel,  viz.  that  “ it  is  the  povuer  of  God  to  falvation.”  Were 
it  what  many  take  it  to  be,  a fydem  of  mere  moral  fuafion,  of  coolj 
philofophic  argument,  the  cafe  would  be  different,  and  the  preju- 
dice jud.  Indians  and  Hottentots  are,  indeed,  rather  rough  mate- 

• Or  tents. 

f Ifaiab  xlii.  10,  II. 

J Tranjlation  of  Ifaiab.  Holes,  p.  I98,  4/». 

§ Rom.  i.  14.  Col.  iii.  11. 


44 


rials  for  a religion  cantly  fliled  rational.  But  whoever  knows  any 
thing  of  real  Chriftianity,  knows  that  the  convetfion  of  a finner  is 
the  exclufive  work  of  Jehovah  the  Spirit.  It  is  this  principle,  and 
this  alone,  v/liich  makes  the  preaching  of  the  word  to  men  “ dead 
“ in  trefpafles  and  fins,”  a reafonakle  fervice.  Now,  to  fay  that  the 
gofpel  cannot  fucceed  among  a people  not  previoufly  civilized,  is  to 
fay,  either  that  it  is  not  the  power  of  God,  or  'that  there  are  feme 
things  too  hard  for  omnipotence. 

3.  This  opinion,  diffonant  from  reafon  and  feripture,  is  alfo  con- 
traiy  to  fatft. 

Was  the  world  unlverfally  civilized  when  Chriftianity  was  pro* 
mulged?  or  did  it  profper  only  in  civilized  countries?  What  were 
the  ancient  Getulae,  in  Africa  ? the  Sarmatians  and  Scythians,  in  Eu- 
rope? If  we  can  credit  hiftory,  they  were  as  remote  from  civiliza- 
tion as  the  American  Indians.  Yet,  among  thefe,  and  other  nations 
equally  uncultivated  and  favage,  had  the  gofpel,  in  the  time  of  Ter- 
tullian,  eftablifhed  its  reign.*  And  in  Britain  it  penetrated  into 
thofe  places  which  Roman  arts  and  arms  had  never  been  able  to 
reach  .f 

This  general  affertion  might  be  amplified  in  an  intcrefting  detail, 
and  might  receive  additional  force  from  the  fandlions  of  modem  hif- 
lory.  But  either  would  protraift,  to  an  immoderate  length,  a note 
already  too  long.  We  may,  however,  alk,  why  the  gofpel  ihould 
be  unequal  to  the  effeifts  which  it  foimerly  produced,  and  of  which 
its  friends  made  their  juft  and  unanfwerable  boaft  ? Let  us  fairly 
rilk  the  experiment,  whether  the  crofs  of  Chrift  has  loft  its  influence 
on  baibarian  minds.  Inftcad  of  waiting  till  civilization  fit  our  In- 
dian neighbours  for  the  gofpel,  let  us  try  whether  the  gofpel  will 
not  be  the  moft  fuccefsful  means  of  civilizing  them.  The  grace  of 
the  Lord  Jefus  will  do  what  philofophy  and  the  arts  will  never 
do — tame  the  wild  heart:  and  there  is  no  doubt  of  a correfponding 
alteration  in  the  condud.  One  Chriftian  inftitution  alone,  the  holy 
Sabbath,  will  go  farther  to  civilize  them  in  a year,  than  all  human 
expedients  in  a century.  Driven  continually  before  an  extending 
frontier;  their  manners  debauched  by  the  commerce  of  unprincipled 
whites;  their  numbers  diminilhing  by  war  and  by  vice;  the  only  al- 
ternative which  feems  to  be  offered  them  is,  converfion  or  extermina- 
tion. 


• Tertull.  ad'oerfus  yudjeot,  cap.  vii.  opp.  p.  189.  ed.  Rlgnltii. 
f Tnaceejfa  Romanit  loea.  Id.  ib.  A number  of  teftimonies  to  the 
fame  fads  are  collcdcd  in  that  learned  work  of  Grotins,  de  veritale  Reli'o 
gionis  Chrijiianit,  opp.  tom.  iii./*.  46,  47.  Fol.  Lund.  1679, 


APPENDIX 


REPORT  OF  THE  DIRECTORS 

or  TUB 

Mission  ARY  SOCIETY, 


A FTER  the  organization  of  the  Society,  the  6rfl: 
care  of  the  Directors  was  to  aim  at  laying  a broad  and 
folid  balls  of  future  operations.  The  frontier  of  the 
♦ ftates,  and  tlie  Indian  country,  exhibiting  an  extenfive 

field  of  miflionary  elForts,  required  great  attention,  while 
they  prefented  confiderable  difficulty.  That  a plan  of 
millions  might  be  devifed  with  judgment,  and  executed 
j with  fuccefs,  it  vsas  neceflary  to  obtain  corredt  informa- 

tion of  both.  A committee  of  inquiry  was  accordingly 
appointed  for  each  of  thefe  purpofes,  and  diretSled  to 
prepare  their  reports  as  fpeedily  as  the  nature  of  their 
bulinefs  would  admit.  No  printed  documents  Apply- 
ing them  with  fufficient  materials,  they  were  obliged  to 
have  recourfe  to  individuals  fcattered  throughout  the 
country,  arul  many  of  them  difficult  of  accefs.  From 
thefe  and  other  impediments,  the  committees  have  not 
yet  been  able  to  accomplilh  their  obje6f. 

A correfpondence  has  alfo  been  opened  with  the  lead- 
ing Miffionary  Societies  in  Britain ; but  no  communi- 
cations from  them  have  hitherto  been  received. 

Afi  inifitution  fo  novel  in  this  country,  and  fo  much 
beyond  the  ordinary  habits  of  religious  enterprize  as  the 


46 

prcfent  Miffionary  Society,  could  hardly  expe(Jl  to  enjoy 
immediate  and  univerfal  fupport.  Yet  it  is  not  without 
j>eculiar  fatisfaftion,  that  the  DiretSlors  rind,  that  in 
proportion  as  it  is  underftood,  it  recommends  itfelf  to  the 
approiiation  and  afFedtion  ot  Chriftiana  of  different  de- 
nominations. Ref]>e£lable  additions  have  been  made  to 
the  number  of  members;  and  both  congregations  and 
individuals  have  evinced  their  anxiety  for  its  profperity, 
by  liberal  and  unfolicited  donations  to  its  treafury.  The 
funds  amount,  at  prefent,  exclulive  of  all  charges,  to 
nearly  one  thoufand  dollars ; which,  though  a fmall  fum 
for  any  weighty  undertaking,  defeives  to  be  view’ed  as 
an  encouraging  commencement. 

The  Dire£lors  have  thought  themfelves  warranted, 
even  by  exiftingcircumflances  and  profjredls,  to  appoint 
a committee  to  prepare,  at  their  leifure,  a fet  of  inftruc- 
tions  for  Miffionaries,  and  to  look  out  for  perfons  pro- 
per to  be  employed  in  the  fervice  of  the  Society.  They 
are  not  without  pleafing  hopes,  that  the  head  of  the 
church  will  raife  up,  from  time  to  time,  candidates  en- 
dowed with  a miffionary  fpirit,  who  will  glow  with 
zeal  for  the  falvation  of  the  heathen,  and  count  it  a dif- 
tinguifhed  honour  to  carry  among  them  the  fweet  favour 
of  his  name. 

Inquiry  has  already  been  addreffed  to  them,  to  afeer- 
tain  whether  it  comes  within  the  defign  of  the  Society 
to  educate  pious  and  promilmg  youth  cxprelTly  for  mif- 
rionary  labours.  No  office  would  be  more  gratifying 
to  them,  as  they  arc  pcrfiiaded  that  nothing  can  l>c  more 
congenial  to  the  end  of  the  Society,  nor  to  the  wifhes 
of  its  members. 

The  Directors  feel  a peculiar  fatisfadlion  in  obferving, 
that  the  miffionary  principle  is  not  confined  to  their  own 
affociation.  It  hath  penetrated  to  the  dillant  parts  ot 


47 

the  ftate,  and  produced,  fome  months  lince,  anorlicr 
Society,  founded  on  the  fame  dodlrines,  devoted  to  the 
fame  objects,  and  dchrous  of  co-operating  in  the  fame 
plan,  by  the  ftylc  of  “ The  Northern  Miflionary  So- 
ciety in  the  State  of  Nevv-York.”  Articles  of  union, 
between  that  inftitution  and  theNew-York  MilTionary 
Society,  have  been  propofed,  and  acceeiled  to  by  the 
Dire£lors,  and  will  be  laid  before  the  Society  for  final 
ratification.  They  cannot  but  indulge  the  confoling 
thought,  that  the  Spirit  of  the  Higheft  harii  begun  the 
good  work,  and  that  he  will  carry  it  on  till  his  people 
throughout  thefe  States  fliall  combine  their  counfels,  and 
confolidate  their  ftrength,  in  one  grand  and  triiimpham  > 
exertion  to  introduce  his  Gofpel  into  the  “ dark  places 
“ of  the  earth,  which  are  yet  lull  of  tire  habitations  of 
“ cruelty.” 

It  is  to  them  a fpring  of  no  common  elevation  to 
•learn,  that  the  zeal  for  miflions  in  the  ifland  of  Great- 
Britain,  which  fii  fuggefted  the  idea  of  Miflionary 
Societies  here,  is  fo  far  from  declining,  that  it  gathers 
vigour  with  its  age.  Obloquy  only  ferves  to  cement  its 
friends,  and  oppofition  to  call  forth  its  energies.  And 
the  probability,  in  which  every  gracious  heart  mufl:  re- 
joice, is,  that  at  this  moment  Chrift  crucified  is  preached 
among  the  Pagans  in  the  iflands  of  the  Pacific  Ocean. 
Belides  which,  an  evangelical  mifllon  is  projedled,  and 
before  now,  perhaps,  executed,  into  the  interior  of  Af- 
rica. The  Lord  blefs  them,  and  keep  them  ! Grant 
Chriftians  here  to  emulate,  and  even  furpafs  their  apof- 
'tolic  example ; and  crown  every  embafly  to  the  Gen- 
tiles with  greater  and  greater  fuccefs,  till  the  whole  earth 
be  filled  with  his  glory  ! 

John  M.  Mason,  Sec'ry. 

New- York,  Nov.  6,  1797. 


In  fheir  proceedings  on  the  above  report,  the  Society' 
refolved,  That  the  education  of  proper  perfons  to  be  fent 
out  as  Miffionaries  comes  within  their  defign : and  it 
■will,  no  doubt,  receive  their  particular  attention  as  foon 
as  their  funds  will  permit. 

The  Society  alfo  agreed  upon  articles  of  union,  and 
principles  of  co-operation,  with  the  Northern  Million- 
ary  Society  in  the  State  of  New-York,  to  take  etfe6l 
whenever  they  fhall  be  ratified  by  faid  Society. 

The  obje6ls  contemplated  by  the  Society  involving 
heavy  expences,  and  requiring  the  united  exertions  of 
its  friends,  it  was  judged  neceflary  to  folicit,  from  all 
the  congregations  throughout  the  country,  with  which 
it  has  any  connedfion,  annual  colleflions  for  its  funds. 
Little  can  be  done  in  pecuniary  efforts,  unlefs  tliofe  whir 
long  for  the  profperity  of  Zion  fhall  give  their  cheerful 
and  perfevering  aid ; and  from  fuch  aid,  with  the  blcffing 
of  Zion’s  King,  the  happiefl  fuccefs  may  be  rationally 
anticipated. 

The  Society  having  agreed  that  two  fei  mons  fiiall  be 
preached  at  tfieir  next  annual  meeting,  the  Reverend  Dr. 
Livingston,  and  theReverend  Dr.  M‘Knight,  were 
appointed  to  preach  tlicm : the  former  in  the  Scots  Pref* 
byterian  Church,  on  the  evening  of  the  firfl:  day  of  their 
meeting;  and  the  latter  in  the  North  Dutch  Church,  on 
the  evening  following. 

The  Society  having  tranfadded  their  bufinefs,  with  the 
harmony  and  affedfion  of  Chriftian  brethren,  and  filled 
with  pleafing  hope,  that  their  labours  (hall  not  be  in 
vain  in  the  Lord,  adjourned  till  the  firft  Tuelday  of 
November,  1798. 


49 


State  of  the  Funds  of  the  Mijfionary  Society,  on 
fVednefday,  November  8,  1797. 

Dlra.  Ch. 

Received,  on  7th  and  8th  November,  from  Members,  on 


account  of  dues,  I4J77 

By  fales  of  the  Society’s  Addrefs 3 25 

The  CoUeeftion  after  the  annual  Sermon 66 

Balance  from  the  late  Treafurer, 943  78* 

OUTSTANDING,  viz. 

Due  by  Members  for  Entrances  laft  year,  as  it 

Hands  on  the  late  Treafurcr’s  Books,  . . . 12  50 

Due  by  eleiHed  Members  who  have  not  yet  Cgncd 

the  ConHitution 

Due  by  Subferibers  in  Arrears  for  annual  Dues 

not  yet  colleAcd, 129  50 


- 232 

Sixteen  hundred  and  feventy-four  dollars  forty-fix  cents.  1674  46 


N.  B.  The  annual  dues  not  yet  colledled  arc  eftimated  at  the  lowed 
fum  to  which  the  Conditution  limits  the  Members,  that  is,  two  dol- 
lars: the  amount  of  receipts  will  probably  exceed  the  eilimate. 

* 7bt  fum  referred  to  in  the  report  of  the  Directors. 


Officers  and  other  DireEiors  for  the  enfuing  Year. 

OFFICERS. 


John  Rodgers,  D.  D.  Prejident. 
WiiLiAM  Linn,  D.  D.  Vice-Prefident. 
Mr.  Divie  Bethone,  Treafurer. 
Rev.  John  M.  Mason,  Secretary. 

Rev.  John  N.  Abeel,  Cleri. 
OTHER  DIRECTORS. 


John  M'Knicht,  D.  D. 
Benjamin  Foster,  D.D. 
Rev.  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers, 
Rev.  Samuel  Miller, 
Leonard  Bleecker,  Efq. 
Thomas  Mackanness,  Efq. 

By  order., 


Peter  Wilson,  Efq. 
Thomas  Storm,  Efq. 

John  Broome,  Efq. 

Mr.  George  Lindsav, 
Mr.  George  Warner, 
Mr.  John  Bingham. 

JOHN  M.  MASON,  Secry. 


Donations  to  the  Society  will  be  thankfully  received  by  Mr. 
Divie  Bethune,  Treafurer,  or  by  any  other  of  tlte  Directors. 


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